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Daily Devotions for January 2004
THEME - Prophecies and
Fulfillments of Christ's Birth in the Old and New Testaments, Part 2
Please
click on the current date # above
to read the devotional for the day!
May God richly bless you this day!
These devotionals are written by the following men:
- DW - Senior Pastor, Dan Wilkenson
- RJS - Retired Pastor, Dr. Bob Shifflett
- DM - Associate Pastor, Dave Most
May God richly bless you this day!
Thursday, January 1
Messiah is the Seed of Isaac
Genesis
21:12, Romans 9:7, Hebrews 11:18
All through Scripture we see a pattern that
was established very early; Cain was set aside for Seth, and this pattern was
followed down through the writings of both the Old and New Testaments.
Ishmael was the first born son of Abraham, but he was set aside for Isaac.
Abraham took a third wife after the death of Sarah. To this union were added
six sons to Abraham, but they did not receive the blessing that was given to
Isaac. Esau was first born, but Jacob received the blessing. Reuben was the
first born in Jacob's family, but Joseph received the double blessing. There
was not a tribe named after Joseph, but his two sons became tribal leaders,
and even there, the second son was chosen over the first born, Genesis
48:17-20. Aaron was three years older than Moses, but Moses was chosen, Exodus
7:7.
The capital illustration is found in Adam
being set aside and Christ becoming the Second Adam, I Corinthians
15:45-59. And along with this illustration, we even see being born of the
flesh is to be earthy, but the new birth born again is a spiritual birth, and
all who are born again put on the heavenly.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy
seed be called. Again in Romans
7:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are
they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. God always
abides by his standards; He gives us three witnesses, the first in the Old
Testament and the second and third in the New Testament.
The Lord established a line of succession
that would last for about two thousand years. From Abraham to Christ, God
kept a genealogical record of the seed of Abraham for several reasons.
1. Christ must be a descendent of Abraham for God's
Word to be true.
2. He must be a Son of David in order to sit of the
throne of David in the Kingdom Age.
3. Likewise, Christ must be a man,
therefore, Luke gives us the genea-logical record
of Christ's humanity. RJS
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Friday,
January 2
Abraham's
Blessing
Genesis
28:12-14
In our text, we read of Abraham's blessing
coming into the life of Jacob. The blessing went from Abraham to Isaac and
then, to Jacob. God chose Abraham in order to bring blessing to all the
families of the earth. He chooses one family as a means of reaching all families.
The idea of election is troubling to many. Inherent, in this idea, is
inequity. There can be no inequity when it comes to grace. Grace is a gift.
It is the right of the giver to give as pleasing to him.
We should not see election as arbitrary and
without grace and mercy. Inherent, in the idea of election, is grace and
mercy. It is because God is not willing that any should perish that He
chooses Abraham. The blessing of Abraham is a means of reaching all families
on this earth. The success of the gospel demonstrates the wisdom and
effectiveness of God's plan. God's purpose in touching every nation involves
working in and through one family and nation. Many Jews came to view the idea
of election as being exclusive of Gentiles. They were wrong. The election of
Abraham and the nation Israel was God's means of including Gentiles. In Galatians
3:8 we read ... the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify
the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying,
In thee shall all nations be blessed.
The blessing is the Gospel. It is the good
news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. In the purpose of God, Jesus
Christ would be born as a son of Abraham in the nation of Israel (Galatians 3:16). God needed to specially guard and lead this
family in order to accomplish this purpose. We need to appreciate that as
sure as we have been born of the Spirit of God, we
are part of God's purpose in blessing all people in this world. The basis of
our election is not our goodness, ability or wisdom. God chooses us in order
to help reach some from every kindred, tongue, tribe and nation. Apart from
God's purpose, none would come to salvation. For this reason, more often than
not, we are inferior in goodness, ability and wisdom. Why is this? It is so people
will realize that we cannot save ourselves. As sure as the power of God has
touched our hearts, God will use us to reach others. Our witness for Christ
is important evidence that we are born of the Spirit of God. DW
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Saturday,
January 3
Hated
Without Reason
OT Psalm 35:19, NT John 15:24-25
Why would anyone hate something or someone
who stands for goodness and righteousness? The Scriptures give us some
interesting details of why the world hates Jesus Christ. First, we see that
the world hates true believers because they are new creatures and that they
have been called out of this world. They are to be separated from the world
and its ways. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you... This is why worldly
separation is so important. True Believers are separated from the world and
are identified with Christ. The servant is neither above persecution, nor above
the Lord. If Christ suffered persecution, we as true believers, can count on
it, as well. Also, True Believers will sacrifice their lives for Christ and
will conform their lives to Christ.
We then, see the world hates believers
because it does not really know God. The world is deceived in its concept and
belief of God and it hates God because He does not condone sin and self will.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death. Finally, the world
hates believers because it is convicted of its sin. The message of Jesus
Christ and the gospel strips away the cloak of sin. Jesus Christ preaches and
teaches righteousness and so His message exposes the sins of the people. John 8:47 He that is of God heareth
God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Therefore, there is terrible guilt and the world is without excuse. If we
really think about it, there is no sense for the world to hate Jesus. It is
not understandable. Think about it. The world hates the One Person who lived
and spoke for righteousness, who cared and
ministered to others and had true love and justice and the only way of
salvation for the world. How deceived the world is. Truly, it reveals the
nature of the world and that it is evil and so the world is without excuse. Romans
1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world
are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his
eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Say, do
you know Christ as your Savior?! If not, do not be deceived! God desires that
you repent and submit to Him. He has much in store for His own.
"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for
Your all-sufficient Grace. Amen." DM
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Sunday,
January 4
The Messiah shall be known for
Righteousness
Psalm
45:2, 6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9
The Psalmist has much to say about the
Messiah all the way form Psalm 2 through 150. Here we have a very vivid
description of the countenance of the Lord Jesus. Thou art fairer than
the children of men: There was magnetism about His eyes that
attracted people to Him. The features of his face radiated love, kindness and
mercy; grace is poured into thy lips: His words were soft and
his voice was melodious. It is few and far between that He raised his voice
to someone, and then only to defend His ministry or His Father; therefore
God hath blessed thee for ever, Psalm 45:2. Therefore, He was endued
with power while here on earth and even more now that He is in heaven sitting
at the right hand of the Father.
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and
ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest
righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore
God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Psalm 45:6,7. Our biggest failure is that we do not hate
wickedness as He did. If we did, we would crucify our eyes and thoughts. Hollywood and pornography would be out of business. There is
an interesting verse in the Proverbs: 27:20 Hell and destruction
are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
The following verses are a command! Harden
not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the
wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty
years, Hebrews 1:8, 9. The above is referring back to the forty years
of wanderings in the Sinai
Peninsula. They hardened
their hearts against Moses and God. They accepted the negative report of the
ten spies and rejected the positive report of the two spies when the way was
open for them to go up and conquer the land. They rejected God and His
leadership for the conquest, and all that generation who were twenty years
and older perished in the wilderness with the exception of Joshua and Caleb,
who lived and went into the land forty years later. Don't harden you heart
against God! RJS
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Monday,
January 5
Christ's
Coming in Glory
Psalm
102:12-16
In our text, we see a prophecy of the
Messiah appearing in glory. At the mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James and
John saw Jesus in His glory with Moses and Elijah. The disciples accurately
understood this as a picture of the kingdom age. In Luke 21:27 as
Jesus speaks of His Second Coming, He says; ... they see the Son of man coming
in a cloud with power and great glory.
We read about this event in Revelation 19:11-14, 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a
white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His
eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a
name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word
of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white
horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The disciples focused on the
kingdom when Jesus came the first time. What they did not understand is that
the blessings of the kingdom are impossible without the spiritual aspects of
the kingdom. If people do not receive spiritual truth in their hearts, they
will not be able to live in such a way as to experience the blessings of the
kingdom. The result of Jesus coming the first time is recorded in John 1:11.
Here we read, He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
However, the blessings of the spiritual
kingdom are available to all that will receive Him. John 1:12 ... as
many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name... These blessings include a heart
full of peace, love and joy. If all people on this earth had such a heart and
Jesus was leading us, we would realize all the blessings of the kingdom. The
present church ought to be such a kingdom. Those who are lost in sin have a
heart full of covetous desire. Judas had a heart full of covetousness, and
troubled the disciples. Today, all whose hearts are full of covetousness only
bring trouble into the church. It ought not to surprise us that most church
conflicts revolve around the use of money. When the kingdom comes to this
earth God will remove all this kind of evil. (Matthew 24:31). DW
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Tuesday,
January 6
A
Priest like unto Melchizedek
OT
Psalm 110:1-7, NT Hebrews 6:20
There are many people whom we know all
around us who are without hope, without reason, without any confidence of
refuge for their eternal state and soul. There are many folks who are in
despair about tomorrow and they see no reason for living. Folks,
hope is absolutely necessary for a person to live and work and have
meaningful existence. How much more true this is of eternity. If a person has
a hope of living forever he then does not fear or dread to face the end of
this life, but most people do not have this hope. With hope through Jesus
Christ we have everything, but without hope we have nothing, absolutely
nothing but the bleakest and most dismal and dark future imaginable. This is
why God has given the world Jesus Christ as the Great High Priest.
Our hope in God is a refuge for the true
believer. This "refuge" is our shelter and protection from danger,
and distress and the enemy. Believers are the people who have turned away
from the world and turned to Jesus Christ as their Great High Priest to save
them from the wages of sin. They rely on God's promises of salvation and
eternal life. This is a wonderful refuge for the true believer.
Our hope in God is an anchor for the true
believers soul. This "anchor" is what keeps true believers from
being shipwrecked on the shores of this old world, and in sin and its evil
ways. The anchor of hope is both sure and steadfast. It cannot slip and it
cannot break. Jesus Christ will hold the believer no matter what
circumstances they may go through.
Our hope in God enters the veil, the great
veil that had separated God from man. Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest
who has torn away the veil and curtain that separated men from God and He
opened the way for man to enter the very presence of God himself and to live
in heaven forever and ever. It is Jesus Christ who intercedes before God for
us as our Mediator and Intercessor and this brings us wonderful hope and
peace as true believers who have become acceptable to God through Jesus
Christ. Titus 2:12-13 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
"Dear Lord, We praise You for being our Great High Priest and our
hope! Amen." DM
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Wednesday,
January 7
The Messiah is the Chief Corner
Stone
Psalms
118: 22-23; Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10-11
Most public buildings have a corner stone.
Sometimes they use a hollow stone and place a time capsule in it, which is to
be opened a hundred years after the building was built. When Solomon"s Temple was built all the stones were cut and finished at
the quarry. They were then moved to the temple site and set in place. They
were all perfect and there was not the sound of a hammer used in setting up
the walls. And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone
made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer
nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
1 Kings 6:7
Tradition has it that when the builders
were ready to set the corner stone it could not be found. They searched the
temple site for it, but it was not there. They returned to the quarry and
after clearing tons of debris they found the corner stone and it was then
moved to the temple and inserted in its proper place. If the above it true,
it is a perfect example of the Jewish nation being unable to recognize the
Messiah when He came the first time and after much soul searching in the
tribulation they will call upon Him whom they rejected centuries ago. Our
text found in both Ps. 118 and Mark 12 records that it
was prophesied that he would be refused and Jesus quoted the Old Testament to
tell them that He was the rejected Corner Stone. The stone which the
builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S
doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Ps. 118:22-23 and And have ye not read this scripture;
The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This
was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Mark 12:10-11.
It is sad, but we too reject, many things
recorded in the Bible, not because of unbelief, but because we want to live
according to the dictates of our hearts rather than according to the
Scriptures. Often Christians seek an excuse by saying "that verse is not
for me." We even say "that's your interpretation!"
Remember, the Jewish nation rejected
their Messiah; let"s not reject
His Word. RJS
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Thursday,
January 8
The
Second Coming of Christ
Psalm
118:19-26
Our text speaks of the rejection of Jesus
Christ. We read in Psalm 118:22, The stone which the builders
refused is become the head stone of the corner. When Jesus Christ
entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, we read
Matthew 21:9... the
multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the
Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in
the highest. Sadly, a few days later, some of the same people cry,
"crucify him". The multitude of humanity is very fickle. Like Esau
of old they will trade their birth right for a mess of pottage.
It is interesting to note that Jesus uses
these same words at the end of His condemnation of the Pharisees. The
Pharisees were those who believed that they had it all together. They saw the
failures of the rest of the people, but in their spiritual blindness, they
could not see their own sin. Jesus points it out clearly to them and
concludes by saying to them, Matthew 23:39 ... Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye
shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. For the
moment, they rejected Him, but He would be back. He would come again when
they open their hearts to Him as a nation and receive Him. The prophet
foretells this great event in Zechariah 12:10 ... I will pour
upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of
grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have
pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth
for his only son...
The word used in our text is Jehovah. Jesus
comes in the name of Jehovah God. There are several texts in the Old
Testament where a prophecy is given concerning Jehovah God. Then in the New
Testament it is quoted and applied to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is Jehovah
God. One example is Isaiah 4:3 and Matthew 3:3. In Matthew
3:3, John the Baptist is identified as this one who would prepare the way
for Jehovah, and John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Jesus
Christ. Jesus is coming again. At this time, most people on earth will
receive Him. The picture given in the Gospel record is that of a great
harvest where the angels gather and separate those who do not believe from
those who believe as tares from wheat. At this time, God will cast the tares,
the Antichrist and the false prophet, into a lake of fire. DW
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Friday,
January 9
David's
Seed to Reign
OT
Psalm 132:11 - NT Acts 13:22-23
It is interesting to note that it is God
who has been at work throughout all of history to order and administer His
ways for mankind. It is God who has suffered and bore with the ways of Israel and of the world. It is God who chose Israel. It is God who delivered Israel as they had stayed in Egypt too long and had become complacent and worldly and were perfectly satisfied with the pleasures of Egypt. They stayed so long, in fact, that they let an
evil Pharaoh enslave them. It is God who put up and suffered with Israel through the wilderness and gave them wonderful
provisions and blessings; but they complained and grumbled, just as many
people do even today.
It is God who led Israel to conquer Canaan. He constantly protected them and led them to victory after victory
even though they did not trust Him nor would they
obey Him. It is God who gave Israel judges and once the land was conquered, Israel slipped into complacency, selfishness, and sin and
they forgot God and His call. Doesn't that sound like America and the church today? Nations marched against Israel, but despite Israel's sin, God heard the cry of the faithful few and raised up deliverers who were called judges. As true
Christians, we need to pray as never before for the church and our country.
It is God who gave Israel judges and prophets as leaders, but they wanted
kings. It was God who gave Israel a king of their own choosing, but Saul was not a
godly man. He was just like the people and full of self. It is God who raised up a special king of His own choosing, and after
His own heart. A man named David. King David was raised up by God as a
picture that it is God who is seeking an obedient person to fill the gap. God
is looking for those that will love and follow Him obediently. The choice is
God's and this all points to the last picture to David as a type of Christ.
God made a covenant and promised David that He would send a Savior to Israel and to the world through his seed, seeking to save
those who are lost. It is God who sent His only Son, Jesus Christ the
Messiah, to save the world from the penalty of sin. It is the Savior, Jesus
Christ, who was rejected and crucified, and was raised from the dead by God.
It is the Savior who forgives sin and justifies all who will believe. It is
also the Savior who will judge all those who do not believe. Where is it that
you stand today? DM
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Saturday,
January 10
The Hearts of Israel were Hardened
Isaiah
6:9,10; Matthew 13:14-ff.
Rejection is a terrible thing! Thousands of
children, of our generation, are growing up being rejected by their parents.
Street children are even living in our city. Husbands reject their wives and
mothers reject their children. Why do we have all this rejection? Because of
selfishness and greed! We live in a society called the "Me"
lifestyle. Mothers don't care if their smoking bothers their children.
Fathers don't care if the family has enough to eat as long as they have money
for their liquor and toys. Our hearts are hardened against anything that
suppresses our self-determined way of life. This is what Isaiah was referring
to in our text verses. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but
perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears
heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with
their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed, Isaiah
6:9-10.
"They shall no more hear with their
ears, the warnings and instructions that are given
them, nor understand with their heart, the things that belong to their
peace, so as to be converted from the error of their ways, and thus be healed."Note,
1. The conversion of sinners is the healing of them.
2. A right understanding is necessary to conversion.
3. God sometimes, in a way of righteous judgment, gives
men up to blindness of mind and strong delusions, because they would not receive
the truth in the love of it, 2 Th. 2:10,12.
He that is filthy let him be filthy still.
4. Even the Word of God oft times provides a means of
hardening sinners hearts. The evangelical prophet
himself makes the heart of this people fat, not only as he foretells it,
passing this sentence upon them in God's name, and seals them under it.
Preaching had a tendency to rock some to sleep.-- Matthew Henry
Fundamental preaching can be a disaster to
the unsaved, in that they hear and hear, but do not respond. Likewise, people
who are depending on their baptism, or church membership, or faithful
attendance without the witness of the Holy Spirit in their lives is also a
disaster. RJS
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Sunday,
January 11
Reigning
in Righteousness and Mercy
Isaiah
16
As you read the Gospel record, you find
that the spiritual leaders in Jerusalem know the place of Jesus' birth. As the wise men
come to see Jesus, the scribes tell King Herod that it was in Bethlehem. It seems, from this account, that though they know
the place, they don't take this event seriously. They would have, had they
known that the Bible not only speaks of the place, but the time.
Some believe that there will be 7000 years
of human history. This 7000 years reflect the 7-day
week of creation. On the seventh day, God rested, and the last thousand years
of human history involve the kingdom age. In Hosea 6:2 we read, after two days will he revive us: in the third
day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. In this
seven thousand year model, the two days would be the present church age and
the time when Israel lives in God's sight would be the kingdom.
We need to appreciate that the Bible is
full of prophecies concerning the Messiah. Some have been fulfilled and some
have not. Furthermore, in some cases the fulfillment is much easier to
understand after the fact. In others, the prophecy and its fulfillment are
easy to identify. This is the case when it comes to our Lord's birth in Bethlehem.
We also need to appreciate that things are
not coming to pass by chance or at random. The timing is perfect. In Galatians
4:4 we read, but when the fulness of the
time was come, God sent forth his Son... Then in Ecclesiastes 3:1To
every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
If our hearts are in tune with God, we should have some idea of the times and
seasons. We find that references to our Lord's coming again are that of a
thief in the night. The people of this world will be as unprepared for His
coming as they were for the flood. However, the same does not apply to those
whose hearts are in tune with God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:4 we read, ...ye, brethren, are not in
darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. If we are
spiritually minded, we ought to have some knowledge of what God is doing and
some knowledge of the timing. DW
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Monday, January 12
A
Stone of Zion
OT Isaiah 28:16,
NT Romans 9:33
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a
foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure
foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. This is an interesting passage that gives us clear
details as to who Jesus Christ is as the Savior of the World. Through Jesus,
God has long ago identified through prophesy the chosen ones. Israel is the chosen nation and people of God who had been
chosen to be God's witnesses to carry the message of salvation to the world.
However, Israel failed to obey and so God had to use other
"chosen ones", as well.
The chosen people of God are from other
nations, too. Hosea prophesied of the gentiles in 2:23, And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and
I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to
them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou
art my God. The chosen are also the small remnant of Israel. Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left
unto us a very small remnant... Romans 11:1,4
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an
Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to
myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
The chosen are the pursuers of
righteousness by faith. They are not the pursuers of righteousness by the
works of the law. Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; The chosen
are not those who stumble over the stone, Jesus Christ, Himself. 1 Peter
2:7, 8 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto
them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same
is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock
of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:
whereunto also they were appointed. The chosen are those who
have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. Say, who is Christ to you?! Is He your Savior and
your Cornerstone?! DM
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Tuesday,
January 13
King of Kings and Lord of
Lords
Isaiah
32:1, Luke 1:32, Revelation 19:16, 20:6
Revelation 19 is the consummation of all
things as we know them today and as they will be known during the
tribulation. It is the close of the seventh dispensation, or the time of
"Jacob"s trouble ... Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even
the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it, Jeremiah
30:7. He will return with the heavenly armies on white horses. He will come
as the Commander in Chief of the heavenly armies (JEHOVAH SABAOTH) and lead
them in the great defeat of the world's armies at Armageddon. He will rid the
earth of rebellion. The beast and the false prophet will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
And he hath on his vesture and on his
thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16
Jesus Christ is in this context Jehovah Sabaoth. He
comes with the angelic armies and the saints who were raptured,
(caught up) 7 years earlier. We have enjoyed the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
The vultures, eagles and other carrion birds of the world gather to the feast
of the dead armies that have come up against Israel and are totally destroyed. This supernatural
destruction of Israel's enemies is brought about with a word spoken by
the Lord Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The written Word, the Bible
is a sword that separates the soul and spirit and joints and marrow. For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Hebrews
4:12. So the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ speaks and it is consummated
by His word.
Behold, a king shall reign in
righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment, Isaiah 32:1. What a difference between the above
verse and what is recorded in I Samuel 8:6-7. In I
Samuel, the people rejected a Theocracy, that is God
ruling, for a monarchy where a human king rules the people, taxing them and
conscripting the youth into his army. King Jesus will be different than any
former earthly ruling monarch. RJS
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Wednesday,
January 14
Jehovah
Is a Great King
Isaiah
33:20-24
Our text speaks of the Messiah in terms of
greatness. Isaiah 33:22.
For the LORD is our judge, the LORD
is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. This is similar to the language used by the angel
Gabriel in Luke 1:32. In this verse, Gabriel says, He shall be
great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall
give unto him the throne of his father David...
David ruled on the throne of Israel. I believe that the day is coming when Jesus will
come again and will rule on the throne of David. Men like Clarence Larkin
predicted the restoration of national Israel in the early 1900s, because of the teaching of
Bible prophecy. The national restoration of Israel is a miracle of modern times. Since the Babylonian
captivity, the city of Jerusalem
was subject to Gentile control. After the Babylonian captivity, the nation
never reestablished their king. The day is coming when this will change.
Jesus said, (Luke 21:24) ... Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the
times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
When this takes place God will restore the kingdom to Israel with the person of Jesus Christ. While Jesus was on
this earth, He never served as a Lawgiver, Judge and King.
His greatness was primarily moral and
spiritual. Israel rejected Him as their king. When he comes again,
Jesus will come as Israel's King. A study of the Bible reveals that all the
prophecies concerning Jesus' first coming literally happened. The same will
be true of all the prophecies concerning His Second Coming. God's power is
not limited to eternity. As we find in the book of Daniel, God's kingdom will
absorb all the kingdoms of this world. The blessing God promised to Abraham
happened as the nation of Israel came into existence at Mt. Sinai, but the blessing will not be complete until the
kingdom extends to include all the people of this earth. Jesus Christ is
Jehovah God and Jehovah God is our King and Savior according to our text.
Only the Son of God could accomplish such blessing on this earth. As we read
in Luke's Gospel, this great King is called the Son of the highest. All who
believe will share in this glory and blessing. Romans 8:17 ... if so be that we suffer with him, that we
may be also glorified together. DW
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Thursday,
January 15
Healing
for the Needy
OT
Isaiah 35:4-10, NT Matthew 9:30
In our physical lives, we usually see
things from a physical perspective, but in our study today, we want to take a
look at the more important aspect, the aspect of the spiritual side of life.
God is always trying to get folks to seek Him above all else. We see in our
text from Matthew that there were certain blind men who realized that Jesus
did have the power to heal their physical blindness and in fact, Jesus also
had the power to heal them and any person who would turn from their sin and
believe unto eternal salvation.
The very first step was that they
acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior of the world! They called
Him the Son of David. They were blind. They could only hear. Folks, the lost
are spiritually blind and they cannot see, but they can hear. Hearing the
Gospel is the only hope for the lost. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God. When they heard Jesus, they cried out for mercy.
Think about it. God is rich in mercy! They fought their way to Jesus. They
persisted and went after Him. These are important lessons for us. These blind
men persisted and kept after Jesus. They did not give up. Persistence is a
true cry for help. How do we respond to people who cry out for help to us?
Jesus gave us the example of ministering and placing others needs ahead of
our own. Then, we see that these blind men helped each other to get to Jesus.
Believers too, with common needs, can help each other reach Jesus. Jeremiah
29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with
all your heart.
Jesus' response was compassionate. There
was no mistake that He was ready to help. He asked them a simple question.
"'Do you believe that I am able to do this?" There are many who do
not believe at all. There are some who doubt, who ignore, and who could care
less. There are some who may follow Jesus and ask for mercy, but never commit
their lives to Christ. These people are just professors of faith, but they
have never trusted Christ with their lives and have never known Jesus as
their Lord and Savior. If you are reading this today, what kind of person are
you? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? Are you living a life
of repentance, obedience and submission? Salvation is only through repentance
and submission to Christ! Won't you turn to Him today?! DM
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Friday, January 16
The Shepherd Dies for His Sheep
Isaiah
40:10-11, John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:24-25
This writer candidated
at a church, some years ago, where he was informed that the Pastor should not
be paid more than a sheepherder working out in the field with his sheep. The
more I thought on the above the more I was convinced that I could not accept
a call to that church if they extended one to me. I sat down on the following
Monday morning and wrote them a long letter telling them
why I would not accept a call, if one were extended. I informed them
that a minister was called to teach the Scriptures and lead as many as would
follow into everlasting life through Jesus Christ. The sheepherder is hired
to feed the flock and get them ready for slaughter. He shall feed his
flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them
in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young, Isa. 40:11.
A few months later I was invited to that
church to sit on an ordination counsel for the new pastor. I went there with
fear and trepidation not knowing how they had responded to my letter. Much to
my surprise several of the deacons came to me and thanked me for the letter.
It opened their eyes as to the responsibilities and duties of a pastor. And
they were now giving the new pastor a much better income than his
predecessors.
Now we see the Good Shepherd about to
become the Slaughtered One for His sheep. Who his own self, bare our
sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being
dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were
healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the
Shepherd and Bishop of your souls, I Peter 2:24-25. These
verses tell why God so loved the human race that He gave His Son to become
our Sacrifice for sin and give us eternal life. The whole human family is as
a flock of sheep without a shepherd and each one going in a different
direction. So many are thinking I can work my way to heaven. Others are
thinking there is no hell and a loving God would not send anyone to hell. They
are right; He won't send them to hell. They will go there because they reject
His Substitute! RJS
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Saturday,
January 17
Rejected
by His People
Isaiah
42:1-7
Some of the saddest words we read in the
Bible are found in John 1:11. Here we read that Jesus ...came unto his own, and his own received him not. This
is an interesting text. The relative pronoun, which is translated own,
is neuter gender. Jesus came unto His own things. He was the Creator of all
that we know. The second relative pronoun, which is translated own,
is masculine. He came to His own people and they rejected Him.
We read about this rejection as the
crucifixion in Isaiah 53. The text in Isaiah 53:4 is paraphrased
in Luke 8:17 and applied to Jesus Christ. The nation Israel, through her leaders, rejected Jesus and condemned
Him to death on the cross. The prophets had foretold all this. The references
in the Bible to the Messiah being a great King and a suffering Servant
confused people. They did not realize that the Messiah would come to this
earth two different times. Israel rejected Jesus at His first coming, but they will
receive Him at His Second Coming.
I have mentioned that there is a maturing
process going on for the race of humanity, but there is also a maturing
process going on for God's people. We start out much like the apostles,
ignorant of spiritual truth and full of self-seeking, but the cross leads to
the crown. Man in sin rejected Jesus and this will ultimately lead to the
deepest suffering for Israel. In this dark hour, Israel will take hold of faith in Christ. In like manner,
we must also reject our sinful flesh by dying to self. It is only when we
learn this; we will find the blessings of Christ's spiritual kingdom. When we
do this, we will experience genuine suffering for Christ's sake. I fear much
of what people mistake for the suffering of Christ is only suffering for our
own foolish pride. It is even as much of the suffering of Israel is often a matter of foolish pride rather than
suffering for righteousness sake.
Truth and error are in conflict. Without
rejection of self and living to righteousness, we will not come into conflict
with error. When we allow Jesus Christ to shine through our hearts, we will
suffer for Christ's sake. This world does not love truth and righteousness.
They love the pleasures of sin and self. DW
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Sunday,
January 18
Deliverer
out of Zion
OT Isaiah 59:16-20, NT Romans
11:26-27
Through continued disobedience and
rejection of the Savior, Israel lost her privilege to be the nation that God would
use to bring the Gospel message to the world. Can we just think for a moment
at the loss that she suffered? If God were to give you or I
this glorious responsibility, what would we do with it? Interestingly, God
has done exactly that! He had to take away the responsibility of the Gospel
message from Israel, and He, in turn, gave it to the Gentiles. We have
been commanded to go and make disciples, that we
shall be witnesses and yet, sadly, most folks could care less. The gentile
church today and most professing Christians are in the same boat as Israel was and we, too, will suffer loss of responsibility
and reward from lack of obedience to the call of God.
In both texts today, we see that God
promises to bring back spiritual restoration to all of Israel as they are His chosen people. There is and has
always been a remnant in the nation of Israel and when the fullness of the Gentiles has come, the
Deliverer will come out of Zion because God always keeps His promises! The
Deliverer is Jesus Christ. Zion references the Millennial reign after the great
tribulation. There will be a great many Jews who will turn to Christ. That is
why verse 26 of Romans is so important. This does not mean that every person
will be saved as God still allows individual choice and responsibility. It
does mean that the nation of Israel, itself, will not be spiritually restrained and
blinded by God as they had been and that there will be a great many who do turn to Christ as their Redeemer and Savior.
God will extend His grace to unbelieving Israel, just as He did to unbelieving Gentiles. Romans
5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Salvation,
whether if be of the Jews or of the Gentiles, always flows from God's mercy. 1 Timothy 1:12-14 And I thank Christ Jesus
our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me
into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and
injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is
in Christ Jesus.
"Heavenly Father, we humbly bow before
You and ask Your forgiveness of our failings to obey. Guide us in Your
Truth." DM
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Monday,
January 19
The King is Coming
Isaiah
62:11, Matthew 21:5, Revelation 19:16
Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto
the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation
cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 12And
they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed
of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out,
A city not forsaken, Isaiah
62:11-12. The above prophecy is
directed toward Israel and the restoration of the nation after the
tribulation and as they enter the millennial age. However, it also includes
the New Testament saints when they return with the King to reign with Him for
a thousand years. The prophecy was partially fulfilled in Matthew 21:5,
where we read of the King presenting himself to the multitude in His
triumphal entry into Jerusalem, on what we now know as Palm Sunday. Jesus was
recognized by the multitude as their King, and less than forty-eight hours
later the same crowd rejected Him and called for His crucifixion. This total
rejection of their King led to the destruction of Jerusalem and their sacred Temple in a short 40 years, which is the number of
probation, testing and trial.
"Forty centuries after Adam, came the
fullness of time. The human race had been tested. Mankind had failed. God
sent forth His Son, made of a woman, under the law that we might be adopted
into His family. God's Son was from eternity. We are children of time. Jesus
was the official Delegate from the counsels of eternity. The Omnipotent One
came down to the impotent ones."-- Biblical Hermeneutics by J.
Edwin Hartell
In Revelation 19, we have the destruction of
the armies that came up against Israel under the leadership of the antichrist and the
false prophet. These two world leaders are cast into the lake of fire to be
tormented forever and ever, and the armies of the world are completely
destroyed by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 20 tells us of
the chaining of Satan by the angel that came down from heaven and cast Satan
into the bottomless pit. Finally, the King of Kings' millennial reign on the
earth and that we shall reign with Him. RJS
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Tuesday,
January 20
Our
Inheritance
Isaiah
65:8-10
This text, in Isaiah, speaks of an
inheritance for God's chosen. This text indicates that had not God determined
to save a remnant, none would find salvation. In 1 Peter 4:18 we read, if the righteous scarcely be saved,
where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? The word translated
"scarcely" here, has the idea of something very rare or difficult.
The salvation of one person is something that is not easy for God. The nature
of sin is so evil that it is hard for God in His omniscience and omnipotence
to win our hearts to repentance and faith. Even the very best of us resist
coming to the truth and righteousness. We resist seeing our sin and opening
our hearts to the power of God's transforming grace.
It is interesting to note that what we lost
in the fall is not even worthy to be compared to what is ours in Christ.
According to God's Word, God made mankind on a lower order than the angels.
However, the redeemed will be recreated in Christ on a higher order than the
angels were created. One the consequences of being in Adam
is that all are born with a fallen nature. This seems unfair. However,
one of the great blessings of being in Christ is that we will find all the blessing
of He who is Lord of all. In Romans 8:17 we read where we are ... heirs of God, and
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be
also glorified together.
Christ is the heir of all things. In Hebrews
1:2 we read where God appointed Jesus heir of all things, by whom
also he made the worlds... Jesus said that the meek shall
inherit the earth. How can Christ and we have all things? In a
family, what the father owns, the son owns, all who
are in the family own. In our Lord's parable of the prodigal son, the father
tells the older brother, Luke 15:31 ... Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. In order for Jesus to redeem us, we were
united with Him. When He died, we died. His death met the just penalty for sin.
In Romans 6:23 we
read ... the wages of sin is death ... The
contrast in this verse is not physical life and eternal life, but eternal
death and eternal life. Jesus being God provided a death that was eternal in
quality. He paid the penalty for sin. In Christ, we are partakers of His
righteousness. Some wonder if they will ever be good enough for heaven. They
have no assurance. All those in Christ are good enough for heaven. Are you in
Christ? DW
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Wednesday,
January 21
The
Lord Our Righteousness
OT
Jeremiah 23:5-6, NT John 2:19-21
In spiritual things, people who are
religionists, who are only professors, those who have not been made alive in
Christ, do not and can not see who Jesus Christ really is. The title,
"The Lord Our Righteousness" is Jesus Christ, and yet the religious
leaders did not recognize Him as God, the Son. They questioned His authority.
Jesus had made claim that the temple was His Father's. They knew very well
that Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and so they wanted some proof. Is
not that the way of unbelieving people? They want some physical proof. That
was their way then and that is the same today as many people question their
God given authority of parents and pastors about spiritual things. They
rebelliously question parents and pastors by foolishly saying, "prove it
to me," as if they would believe it then, somehow. They cannot believe
the basic and elementary commands and principles of God's Word as they have
not been regenerated spiritually and they have not and will not submit to the
Lordship of Jesus Christ. John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did
Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Jesus, then, gave them their answer by
saying that He would raise a new temple in 3 days, and sure enough, they did
not believe Him. Instead, they scoffed at Him and mocked Him. Jesus, however,
was speaking of His own body, symbolically of His death, burial, and
resurrection. The Jewish leaders showed their spiritual blindness and
attachment to a materialistic world, but Jesus' objective was achieved as the
disciples believed the Scriptures which had been predicted of the coming and
resurrection of the Messiah. As true believers then, we ought to not only
believe God, but we ought to fall on our faces in utter reverence to God as
our Creator and Savior. Psalm 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the
assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence
of all them that are about him. When we sinners begin to dwell on
"The Lord Our Righteousness", we realize we are totally unworthy,
but we are thankful for His mercy and His grace. May we be encouraged today
to believe on and always reverence the Holy name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
"'Gracious God and Savior, we praise
You for Your great mercy!" DM
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Thursday,
January 22
A
New Covenant
Jeremiah
31:31-34, Hebrews 8:8
God made seven covenants with the human
race and Israel:
1) Edenic, Gen. 1:28;
2) Adamic, Gen. 3:15;
3) Noahic, Gen. 9:1;
4) Abrahamic Gen. 12:1-3,
5) Mosiac, Ex. 19:25;
6) Palestinian, Deut 30:3;
7) Davidic, 2 Sam. 7:16;
and
8) New, Heb. 8:8.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant
that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to
bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I
was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this
shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those
days, saith the LORD I will put my law in their inward
parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be
my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour,
and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith
the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no
more, Jeremiah 31:31-34. This great prophecy is fulfilled in Hebrews 8:8, Behold,
the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. The
beauty of this promise, it is also a promise to the Gentiles. All born again
believers in Christ, share in this covenant. Every time we sit at the
communion table and partake of the elements, we are acknowledging that we are
a part of this new covenant, I Corinthians 11:25. The King James
translation calls it a new testament, but the best rendering of the Greek
word (diatheke) is "covenant." All the
covenants were direct from God, however, some were
conditional Edenic, Mosiac,
and Palestinian. The other five were unconditional, that means; these
covenants were made by the LORD and it was His responsibility to see that
these were fulfilled without our help. The first seven covenants were earthy
in that they were fulfilled here on earth. The New Covenant is different in
that it extends beyond time and includes the new heaven and new earth and
into eternity. RJS
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Friday,
January 23
The
Meekness of Christ
Ezekiel
21: 24-27
It is impossible to study the life of Jesus
Christ and not understand His great humility. Jesus said, Matthew 11:29 ... I am meek and lowly in heart ...
One simply cannot have greatness without humility. The flesh would lead us to
believe that if we don't manifest a certain professional distance and air, we
will not be respected. Nothing could be further from the truth. There cannot
be respect without love. Where there is love, there cannot be distance and
some superior air.
This distance and air breed fear. Perfect
love casts out fear. Sadly, there are those who would take the leadership
principle of this world and bring it into the church. When they do so, the
spiritual life goes out of the church. To have a church, Jesus Christ must be
the Head, and where things move with pride and fear, it is impossible that
Jesus be the Head. Sadly, there are many examples of this kind of thing in
what we might judge to be among the best spiritual organizations. What we
need to appreciate is that all such judgments are wrong.
The Antichrist will be that self-willed
wicked prince referred to in our text. When his day comes, God will take the
kingdoms of this world from him and give them to Jesus Christ. In like
manner, all that would seek to exult themselves will come to find shame. God
resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. The destiny of all those in
stubbornness and pride that resist the truth is eternal shame. I can't
imagine anything which could be any worse. Shame is a terrible thing especially
when we deserve it. We deserve shame when we refuse to humble ourselves
before God and the truth. Jesus demonstrated perfect humility. We read the
story of perfect humility in Philippians 2:5-8 5. Here we read, Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form
of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. It
is impossible to follow the path of Christ without demonstrating humility.
Whenever we evaluate ourselves spiritually, we need to focus on humility.
Without this we will only come to find shame. DW
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Saturday, January 24
Stone
Cut without Hands
OT
Daniel 2:34-35, NT Acts 4:10-12
The book of Acts is an amazing account of
the Holy Spirit at work in people's lives. We see the disciples, who had been
empowered by the Holy Spirit to boldly speak forth the Gospel message to
people. Our NT text starts today with Peter who was filled by the Holy Spirit
in verse 8. He boldly proclaims to the rulers of the people and the elders of
Israel that it was them who crucified Jesus Christ of
Nazareth and that God has raised Him from the dead. Then we see something
even more important. Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the
corner. Peter has now proclaimed that salvation is in Jesus Christ
and to drive the point home, he used the declaration of prophetic Scripture.
The Truth will always stand! Jesus Christ is the Head; the Chief Cornerstone
of God's building. It was God who gave man the Head Cornerstone for His
building and for the life that He wanted man to build. But men set the stone
"at nought" and counted it as no good,
unacceptable, of no account, of no worth.
But God took His Stone, despite man's
rejection, and still made Jesus the Head of the corner of the spiritual
house. It is God who has exalted Jesus Christ and made Him the Head of life. 1
Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay
in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and
he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. It is Jesus Christ
alone who saves, there is no other Head, no other name under heaven, Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved. No teacher is capable
enough, no prophet is noble enough, no minister is good enough to save
himself, much less any one else. It is God"s
Head, Jesus Christ, which God uses to save mankind. 1 Corinthians 2:2 For
I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is
laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Say, do you know the Head of Eternal life,
the Cornerstone of the Spiritual house as your Savior? Have you repented of
your sin? Is there clear evidence in your life of a changed heart? If not,
why not submit your heart and life to Jesus Christ the builder today!
"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for
Your Son Jesus Christ our Savior! Amen." DM
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Sunday,
January 25
Christ's
Kingdom Triumphant
Daniel
2:44-45, Luke 1:33,
I Cor. 15:24,
Rev. 11:15
Daniel is in the process of interpreting
the dream that had kept King Nebuchadnezzar without sleep most of the night
in fear and trembling. It would be good if you would read the context both
before and after these verses and get the setting of the dream and its
interpretation. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven
set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not
be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these
kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever, Daniel 2:44.
In Luke 1:33, we have lifted another verse out of its context,
and here we are reading part of the narration the angel gave to Mary And
he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there
shall be no end, Luke 1:33. As he was announcing to Mary that she was
to bring forth a Son whom she shall name Jesus. Daniel's prophecy is to be
fulfilled in the Man Jesus Christ, the Son of Mary.
The Apostle John further enlarges upon the
great coming King who will rule the world in righteousness and integrity for
ages without end. Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and
there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for
ever and ever. Remember, John was carried up into heaven to see
things that were to come, Rev. 4:1. The whole Book of Revelation is
divided into three divisions which are as follows:
1) Which thou hast seen,
2) the things which are,
3) and the things shall be hereafter.
These three short phrases are the complete
outline of the book. All other outlines are man made and only an enlargement
on these three. Most pre-tribulation and pre-millennial teachers agree that
the Church is pictured along with John as being lifted from this world along
with John. In other words, we will not partake in "Jacob's Troubles,"
but will be caught away from the tribulation that is to come upon Israel and the unsaved world. This is the teaching of this
writer, and guarantees all believers that they will not be part of the horror
that will engulf the world under the anti-christ.
RJS
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Monday,
January 26
The
Spirit of Christ
Joel
2:28-32
Before the political restoration of Israel, there must be a spiritual renewal. In our text,
the pouring out of the Spirit of God brings in this renewal. When we open our
hearts to God, we repent of sin and turn to Christ in faith. At this point,
we are born of the Spirit and the Spirit of Christ comes to dwell in our
hearts forevermore.
The former rain occurred on the day of
Pentecost. This is identified by the apostle Peter in Acts 2:16-19.
Here Peter says, ... this is that which was
spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams... On the day of
Pentecost, verse 19 was not fulfilled. Acts 2:19 ... I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth
beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke...
This is an example of a double reference prophecy. At the end of the age,
verse 19 will happen in close proximity to an outpouring of the Spirit.
Some believe the renewal of the apostolic
sign gifts at the turn of the century was this latter rain. If we try the spirits,
we find that the lack of righteousness we find today,
reveals that most which passes for the manifestation of the spirit today is
apostasy and not this latter rain. Matthew 24:24 ... there shall
arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
This deception is the spirit of Antichrist,
and the mystery of iniquity. This deception will culminate in Israel receiving the Antichrist. John 5:43 I am come
in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own
name, him ye will receive. The same self-willed leadership that will
characterize the Antichrist is manifest in the lives of many church leaders
today. The mystery of godliness is Jesus manifest in the flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16 ... without controversy great is the mystery
of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh... The spirit of iniquity
is a man possessed of the devil himself. 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8... the mystery of iniquity
doth already work ... then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord
shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the
brightness of His coming. Today we are moving toward this great
event. DW
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Tuesday,
January 27
A
Holy Priesthood
OT Zechariah 6:12-13, NT Ephesians 2:19-22
Zechariah 6:12-13 And speak unto him,
saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying,
Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his
place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: 13 Even he shall
build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and
rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the
counsel of peace shall be between them both. Jesus Christ is that Faithful
High Priest for the priesthood.
Folks like pictures as it helps them relate
to the message. God gives us some clear pictures in Ephesians of the church
and Jesus Christ as the builder. Let's take a look. First, we see the picture
of a new nation in verse 19. We, as saved Gentiles, are no longer strangers
and foreigners to God. We have become fellow citizens in a nation being
created by God. Then, God pictures the church (priesthood) as the family of
God. It is Jesus Christ who has brought us into the family and we have the
privilege of adoption, and of responsibility and of service. Every person who
lives in this household has duties to perform. That's why it's hard to
understand folks who profess Christianity, but who do nothing in service for
God. They really are not Christians.
Then, we see a third picture of the church
as God's building, with Jesus Christ, Himself, as the Chief Cornerstone. The
Cornerstone is the first one laid and all others are laid after it. Christ is
the Author of Salvation, and all others are the readers of it. Christ is the
beginning and the end, all others come after Him. Christ is the forerunner
into the presence of God and all others enter after Him. 1 Peter 2:6-8
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that
believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe
he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the
builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone
of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word,
being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. Is Jesus
your cornerstone or are you being confounded, rejected and disallowed? For
true repentant believers as the priesthood, Christ is precious and is our
Faithful High Priest! Amen! DM
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Wednesday,
January 28
The Heavenly High Priest
Zechariah
6:12-13, Hebrews 4:4, 8:1-2
The only difference between the Tabernacle
and the Temple was the size of the structure. The tabernacle was a
tent and second made of wood and stone. The Tabernacle was built after the
pattern given by God to Moses when he was in the mountain as recorded in Ex.
25:9, and following. According to all that I shew
thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the
instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. Also, according to
God's commandments Aaron was to be the first High Priest, and the line of
succession was to be from his family and always of the tribe of Levi. These
were all earthly high priests and their line of succession ended with the
destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. We are now referring to a
different High Priest, and He is from the line of Judah and is the Lord Jesus Christ. Zechariah 6:12,13 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose
name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build
the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he
shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be
a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them
both. Our Saviour is the only Person who
can be Prophet, Priest and King. These are His three offices and He fulfills
them in past, present and future.
The picture changes and we are no longer
thinking of the tabernacle on the earth, but the tabernacle that is in
heaven. Hebrews 8:1-2, Now of the things which we have spoken this is
the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on
the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2A
minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord
pitched, and not man. Hebrews gives us a picture of the heavenly
Tabernacle and the High Priest that makes intercession for us before the
throne of Grace. Under the old economy, the Jews had to go once a year, on
the Day of Atonement, and their past sins were forgiven. Under the new
economy, we can go at the very moment the sin is committed and ask
forgiveness because His shed blood is there for the remission of our sins.
Praise the Lord! RJS
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Thursday,
January 29
The
Light
Malachi
4:1-3
Our text describes Jesus as the Sun of
righteousness. This is because He is moral and spiritual light. The light is
as a fire. It will consume the wicked. In Malachi 4:1 we read, ... the
day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that
do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither
root nor branch. The day is quickly coming when the wicked will come to a
complete and final end.
Apart from faith, there is no salvation.
Somehow, we must learn to love the truth before there is hope of salvation.
What is right is in our interest. However, if we see that we can choose good for the wrong reason. Faith insures that we receive
truth for the right reason. John 12:46 I am come a light into
the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Every one that lives sees the light. John 1:9 That was the true
Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into
the world. People in this world are not blind and in darkness because
they cannot see. They are blind and in darkness because they will not see. John
3:19 ... this is the condemnation, that light is
come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. Damnation is a
matter of loving the pleasures of sin more than truth and righteousness. God
will forever remove all who choose this path.
Jesus Christ is the Light of this world. Luke
1:78,79... Through the tender mercy of our God;
whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give
light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our
feet into the way of peace. Those in sin are at war with God, others,
and their own conscience. It is only when we come to love the Light that we
will find peace of heart and soul. Those with sinful hearts experience
frustration, hate and deep covetous desire. Those with righteous hearts
experience love, joy and peace. We live in a world given to evil. In such a
world, it is easy to give way to evil. Jesus Christ did not give way to evil;
because He was pure goodness, we can see light. However, it is one thing to
see light and another to love it. If we don't love God's Word, God's people
and righteousness, we have not come to love light. DW
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Friday,
January 30
Earth
Filled with the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord
OT
Habakkuk 2:14, NT Revelation 21:23-26
Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the
knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Did you ever wonder how some people would ever be able to hear of the
Word of God and good news of the Gospel message? If we really stopped to
think about it the answers are really quite easy. Paul says in Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for
it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.
If it is the power of God unto salvation then we will understand that God
will make sure that all people everywhere will have every opportunity to hear
the saving message of Jesus Christ, even that the Earth would be filled with
the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord.
May all people everywhere come to realize
as the Psalmist, David declared, Psalm 19:1-14 The heavens
declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth
his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth
speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and
their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the
sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of
his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a
race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto
the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of
the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the
heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear
of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than
much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover
by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me
from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let
them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be
innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the
meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and
my redeemer. DM
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Friday,
January 31
Restoration
of the Temple
Amos
9:11-12, Acts 15:16-18
In the two passages we are looking at
today, we see the prophecy fulfilled regarding the restoration of the Temple. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle
of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise
up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 12That
they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are
called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this, Amos
9:11-12. "In that Day" refers to the millennium, when Messiah
comes to restore the Kingdom and throne of David, and to reign forever over
the house of David. "In that Day" is found 50 times in the Book of
Isaiah and 5 times in Amos. When three simple words are used so often, it
informs us that we should heed them and see how they relate to both Jews and
Gentiles. We also need to note that Edom is mentioned in the above verses and
that is the land wherein we find the city of Petra, the City that is half as
old as time. It is believed by most students of Jewish prophecy that Patra is the city where a remnant of the tribulation Jews
will be protected in the last seven and one half years. God will rebuild the
nation of Israel and prepare them to receive their Messiah.
In Acts 15:16-18, we
have more information regarding this great event of the future. After
this (the completion of the church age and the rapture of the church)
I (Christ) will return, and will build (restore
the Jewish nation and restore them to the whole land, promised to Abraham,
from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates River) again the
tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; (destroyed in 70 A. D.) and
I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue
of men (all the nations that survive the tribulation and continue to
live in the millennium) might seek after the Lord, and all the
Gentiles (nations) upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known
unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. The last
sentence above tells us that God knows all things from the beginning to the
end, and controls all the universes, as well as, the events here on earth.
What a mighty God and Saviour we have! Let us thank
Him for all the knowledge He gives us to see the future events. RJS
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